BG out to defend D-I title; North, South improving

The Cardinals have become a force in Division I over the years, and the defending champions should be tough again this year, barring injuries. And, says head coach Steve Hunt, with the further development of his distance runners.

“We’ll need the continued development of the distance group,” Hunt said, “and stay healthy.”

The Cards have two key athletes who helped them to last year’s championship returning, namely junior Betsy Garnick and sophomore Molly McCabe. All Garnick did was set a Division I record in the 100-meter hurdles and McCabe gained valuable team points with a win in the 800 meter run.

What about the other area Division I teams? Both Nashua High School North and Nashua High School South are looking to improve, as is Merrimack. The Titans have one of their youngest teams ever, while the Panthers, under first year head coach Siobhan Kemezys, hope their depth really works with a number of potential qualifiers across the board.

Alvirne, meanwhile, graduated lot of its top performers from a year ago, and head coach Tarek Rothe is looking at a group comprised of two-thirds underclassmen. But with youth comes enthusiasm.

“I’m really looking forward to coaching this young bunch of hungry kids,” he said.

In Division II, Milford looks like a contender. The Spartans won the whole thing two years ago and last year finished third. They have two event winners from last year’s division meet returning, 3,200 champ Courtney Hawkins and 400 meter winner Dina Pitsas, both juniors.

With some depth, they could be dangerous. “We have a very strong group of kids,” Spartans head coach Mike Wright said, hoping for improvement in relays and field events. “It could be a very interesting year.”

Souhegan was also a top 10 team a year ago (eighth), and are led by the returning discus champion from last spring, Isabella Stuopis, who was also the top girls shot putter this past winter, and have depth in other areas, especially distance events.

“We should improve on last year’s finish,” head coach John Eastman said.

Same for Hollis Brookline. The Cavaliers have nowhere to go but up from a 20th place a year ago, but the Cavs were without top sprinter-jumper Lyndsey Beaugregard, now a sophomore who should make a huge difference come late May.

The Cavs also have a good 4x800 relay squad that head coach Dave Babin is counting on. It’ll be interesting with 18 new members on a 35-girl squad.

In Division III, Campbell is hoping for a top 10 finish with a lot of new athletes, coming off a 14th-place finish a year ago. An interesting team to look at is Wilton-Lyndeborough, because the Warriors are undergoing a track explosion, with 40 athletes on the girls squad.

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL SEASON: “This is the youngest team I’ve ever had,” Cardin said. “We need some of the kids to come along in the technical events, and our distance runners to progress by the end of the season.”